ABSOLUTE: Big gains for decades stations

Absolute 80s is the number one digital commercial radio station, according to the latest set of RAJAR figures out today.

Its reach is up 80% in the last 12 months, with the enlarged audience size of 1.018m now bigger than Bauer’s The Hits Radio.

Absolute Radio 90s also increased its audience size 80% year-on-year, although it fell 15% this quarter to 366,000 adults listeners. This news comes as the group prepares to launch two more decades stations – Absolute Radio 60s and Absolute Radio 70s – next month.

With 2.841m weekly listeners, the total Absoute Radio Network has held its 9-year high for reach. The main Absolute Radio station’s audience is down 50,000 listeners (3%) across the year from 1.654m to 1.604m.

69% of Absolute’s total listening is now done on digital platforms – up from 62%.

The group says hours are up 11% year on year but took a ‘seasonal dip’ of 16.5% this quarter because of the lack of Premier League football coverage in the summer months.

Chief Operating Officer Clive Dickens said: “This is a steady RAJAR performance for the brand – Absolute Radio and Absolute 80s are both now top ten commercial radio stations in the UK and The Absolute Radio Network has held its reach, after significant growth last quarter.”